In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner tells the stories behind three inventors: an indoor plumbing innovator, a straw tinkerer, and the woman who still holds the record for the most patents among black, female inventors. We’ll also mark some notable business birthdays and say good-bye to the man who was most definitely a winner at The Game of Life.
More Podcast Episodes
Delta Force
Podcast
July 21, 2026
Tango Tango Classic: From Delta Force to Mr. Mustavio World of Wonder
In this powerful classic episode of the Tango Tango podcast, sponsored by CareSource Military & Veterans, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Pat McNamara, a retired Delta Force operator, small business owner, creator of Basic Dude Stuff, and the ultimate champion of resilience. Mac opens up about his journey from elite military operations to navigating darkness after service, revealing the deeply personal story behind his second lease on life. Listeners get a raw look at the highs and lows of Pat’s career, from failing Special Forces training to becoming one of the top performers in Delta. But the most gripping moments come after the battlefield, when he’s living in a bonus room above his garage, caring for his kids, and battling depression and burnout. It was a moment with his son and a screech owl that sparked the turnaround, and a single run that helped him remember who he was. This isn’t just a story about combat. It’s a story of fatherhood, recovery, discipline, and the choice to grow. From surviving a towed parachute jump to creating a children’s show rooted in curiosity and wonder, Pat’s journey is a lesson in how warriors heal, rebuild, and give back. Additional Links…
U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index
Podcast
May 27, 2026
Analysis of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index – Q1 2026
The data doesn’t lie, and in Q1 2026, it’s telling a story the freight industry hasn’t seen in years. In this special episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Bobby Holland, Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, and Bob Costello, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at the American Trucking Associations, for a deep dive into the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index for Q1 2026. The episode unpacks seven critical takeaways from the quarter, including a historic 12.9% spike in freight spending, a rare supply-side recovery driven by tightening capacity and surging fuel costs, and regional breakdowns across the West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast, with stops on tariff impacts, cross-border trade with Canada and Mexico, and what a $7.22-per-gallon diesel price in California means for the broader economy. Together, they explore why this recovery is unlike anything we’ve seen since the pandemic boom, what the Goldman Sachs recession outlook gets right (and wrong), and how supply chain leaders can use real, verified freight data, not feelings, to make smarter decisions in an unpredictable 2026. This episode is hosted by Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa. Produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua…